From McIlroy’s phone snatch to Siem’s drunken course record — a look back at golf’s weirdest moments of 2025.
Golf is typically a sport marked by etiquette and calm, but even this refined game has its share of bizarre moments. From forgotten ball markers to a £10,000 no-smoking bet and intoxicated course records, 2025 delivered some truly odd stories. Here are the strangest golf moments of the year.
Rory McIlroy confiscates a fan’s phone
Rory McIlroy is no stranger to hecklers, but during a practice round ahead of the Players Championship, he had enough. After a fan interrupted his swing, McIlroy demanded the man’s phone and walked off with it across the fairway. The fan eventually got his phone back but was escorted out of the tournament.
Marcel Siem sets course record while drunk
Playing golf drunk is usually a recipe for disaster — unless you’re Marcel Siem. The German pro revealed on a podcast that he once set three course records while intoxicated, including one during the third round of the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Despite two vomit breaks, he played one of the best rounds of his life.
Shane Lowry forgets to mark his ball at the US Open
At the 2025 US Open, Shane Lowry made a mistake more common among amateurs. He picked up his ball on the 14th hole without marking it, earning a penalty stroke. Already 14-over-par and out of contention, Lowry laughed off the blunder after the round.
McIlroy hits two balls with one swing
During the 2025 British Open, McIlroy pulled off a bizarre feat. While hitting from the rough on the 11th hole, two balls flew out — one being a lost ball from earlier in the week. It looked like a magic trick, but was likely just a coincidence.
Charley Hull bets £10,000 to quit smoking
Quitting smoking is tough, even for elite athletes. In March, Charley Hull made a bold bet with